Australian pottery, especially Pates, is in our opinion somewhat under-rated and has been set aside for so long. Sure it was mass produced but the design work and craftsmanship are quite something and a reminder of days long past in Australian pottery.
It you haven't already, look at Google using the keywords PATES AUSTRALIA and use the search images option - they produced a vast, unique range of ceramic and china works with a very Australian "flavour" - once you become familiar with the Pates range of products, you can spot them "a mile away"!
Alfred Pates began the pottery in 1946 and it continued until the early 90's although its busiest period was in the 1950's
Production was usually by the slip casting method, pouring a clay into a mould basically. Then decorating it to suit.
And so it is with this example of Pates ceramic with the distinctive trumpet shell design.
This vase is small, standing just 140mm tall and 185mm across at its widest point, perfect for small flower arrangements.
PATES - Ceramic flower vase
Made in Sydney, Australia
Trumpet Shell design
Sand - Mustard Yellow colouring at the base, then changing to a Green - Blue "Mother Of Pearl" appearance as the colouring progresses towards the top rim, a very high lustre finish.
The inside of the vase is flesh coloured and of course, glazed
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
Clean
Overall, this vase is in very good condition
NO crazing observed
NO chips or fleabites
NO handling damage to the colouring
The design is very typical of Pates, however the impressed backstamp is practically unreadable - they were mass produced products (often for the big department stores) and the stamping wasn't always clear. The stamp would have been simply a number, a code for the product.
